Wow! This book is just that, WOW.
The other day, I saw Hummingbird on one of the receiver’s desks at work. I saw this lushly colorful cover by Jane Ray. There were flashy reds, bold blues and gracious greens. I figured this was going to be either something beyond amazing or fall flat and only have its art going for it. Thankfully, it is beyond amazing.
While there is nothing earth shattering about this book, Nicola Davies beautifully blends a story and hummingbird facts seamlessly. You see how a bird (that is born in an egg the size of half a walnut shell) can fly from the southern hemisphere all the way to the Canadian border. (Hopefully it has its passport in order). We see how a hummingbird lands in the garden of a grandmother and her granddaughter and find its way to New York and in a full-circle finds that little girl again. Through people, the places and text the story unfolds as we learn about a bird that we usually only think of as “just pretty.” We see how it has a temper. How it builds a nest. What it eats (did you know it needs it’s “meat and potatoes” just like us?) And how the memories, love and stories of the people encountered along the way connect us all.
The images are beyond lovely and just over all a fantastic package. They are a story within themselves. There is no space left uncovered on the page, even the white has importance to why it is there. The images are frame worthy.
While it might not be the easiest read for a very young audience it would be great for an older child or classroom setting. And while there are facts within the actual story, there are a before, after and facts on the page in “side bars” as well.